COVID-19 Testing Helps Keep You and Your Community Safe
The message is simple: anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 must come forward for testing. Don’t wait, do it now. Testing is a cornerstone of the effort to stop the virus spreading. If you have a runny nose, a sore throat, a cough, shortness of breath, a high temperature or even just feel generally unwell, get
Have You Had a Telehealth Appointment in 2020?
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Australians have been able to access their doctor and many other health services through telehealth over recent months. Do you think video and phone health care appointments should stay as part of the “new normal”? If you’ve had a recent telehealth consultation with your GP or other health
Face Masks Encouraged in NSW
Community transmission of COVID-19 is a cause for concern in NSW. The NSW Government now recommends wearing face masks in enclosed spaces where physical distancing is not possible. This includes supermarkets, public transport and places of worship. People working in customer-facing roles such as hospitality or retail are also encouraged to wear a mask. Wear
New COVID-19 Videos for Aboriginal Communities
Healthy North Coast’s Aboriginal Health Team is working closely with the local community to provide COVID-19 support. Aboriginal Health Coordinator Djaan Jarrett’s first video from March received 73,000 views and 872 shares on Facebook. It also gets regular airplay on National Indigenous Television! Since that clip was so popular, we’ve filmed a new video where
COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing Support
Beyond Blue offers a dedicated COVID-19 wellbeing support service to address the growing mental health impact of the pandemic. The free Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is available to address concerns such as anxiety about the virus, financial stress, business closure, family stress, anxiety and loneliness. The service offers easy access to a range of
Start the Conversation Around Organ Donation this DonateLife Week
Port Macquarie lung transplant recipient Marty Sheehan had already begun organising his own funeral when he was told a donor had been found. The former electrician had pulmonary fibrosis caused by workplace exposure to asbestos, and his health was failing fast. Not surprisingly, Marty is now a strong advocate for people registering to donate their
Port Macquarie-Hastings Plans Homelessness Week Activities
‘Everybody needs a home’ is the theme of this year’s Homelessness Week, which takes place from 2-8 August. The Port Macquarie-Hastings Homelessness Committee has organised a series of events and activities to highlight the plight of homeless people. The committee aims to raise enough money to provide lockers in Port Macquarie for local people without
Free Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Treatment Online for People in Nimbin, Casino, Kyogle
The Buttery is offering a free four-week online program to help people with alcohol and other drug issues, without needing to join a residential program. This time around, the program is especially focused on helping people in Nimbin, Kyogle, Casino and the surrounding areas. In response to COVID-19, The Buttery has adapted its popular Community
Testing Times: Mobile Respiratory Clinic Hits the Road
A new mobile testing clinic will make it easier for Northern NSW residents to get tested for COVID-19. Getting tested for COVID-19 is one of the key tools in the fight against transmission of the virus, ensuring any cases in the community can be identified quickly. The new mobile clinic will visit Evans Head between
NSW Health Launches ‘Respect Your Brain’ Videos
NSW Health has launched a series of new videos about drugs and alcohol and the effect they have on a young person’s developing brain. The three short animated videos illustrate the effects of alcohol, MDMA (ecstasy) and cannabis. Their tagline is ‘Respect Your Brain’. The videos aim to provide credible, accessible and relevant information. Their
Heart Foundation Walking Groups Stepping Out Again
Dust off your walking shoes, Heart Foundation Walking groups have recommenced on the North Coast following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The walking groups are a great way for people to exercise regularly, create new social networks and look after their physical and mental health. Everyone participating will need to keep 1.5 metres apart, practise
New Program Helps Older Carers Navigate NDIS
Carers NSW is running a new program to help older carers understand the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and how to best use it.
